Best Disneyland Hotels

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa offers both luxury and location. Situated in the middle of Disneyland Resort, the hotel has its own private entrance to Disney California Adventure as well as quick access to Downtown Disney. The six-story hotel recalls the Arts and Crafts architecture of the early 1900s with rich cedar and redwood paneling in the expansive lobby. Rooms have warm colors and rich textures, and include TVs with free Disney channel and ESPN, and concierge rooms include a  DVD player and free movies—not that you'll be spending much time in your room. Most guestrooms have two queen beds, while others offer a king bed or a queen bed plus bunk bed. Rates run from $350 to $500 pernight, depending on the time of year and the room view. Keep in mind that there are no rollaway beds (though sleeping bags and cribs are available). Kids love the Fountain Pool and Redwood Pool, which has a themed slide. For mom and dad, the luxurious Mandara Spa can help sooth away the aches from a long day in the park.

Paradise Pier Hotel is all about the sunny, carefree California lifestyle and the beachfront boardwalks of yesteryear. Fun in the sun is serious business here, from the California Screamin' waterslide to the sea-inspired colors throughout the hotel. Mickey plays host, and his familiar figure shows up throughout the hotel's décor—even in the upholstery. The smallest of Disneyland's properties, Paradise Pier Hotel is still a stately 15 stories high. If possible, ask for a room with views of the World of Color nightly show. If you want to spend a lot of time at the pool, consider a concierge room on the third room so you'll have direct access. Concierge rooms start at around $320, while regular rooms run from $235 to $305. If you need even more space, suites range from $585 to $1,830. Self-parking is included in the daily resort fee, so you can park the car and forget about it. It's a 15-minute walk to both parks and Downtown Disney, and guests can access Disney California Adventure via the private guest entrance from the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. You can also reach Disneyland by taking the monorail from the Downtown Disney station. When you get hungry, Disney's PCH Grill dishes out the usual American beach food favorites and has a Disney character breakfast.